Michael Undi has joined North Dakota State University’s Central Grasslands Research Extension Center near Streeter as an animal scientist.

The Zimbabwe native grew up in Kadoma, a small agricultural and mining town. After earning a degree in animal science at the University of Zambia, he moved to Canada and earned a master’s degree in ruminant nutrition from the University of Saskatchewan and a Ph.D. in forage utilization from the University of Manitoba.

Before joining NDSU, he was a senior lecturer in animal science at the University of Namibia, senior lecturer in the Department of Agriculture at the University of Zululand in South Africa, and an instructor and research associate in the Department of Animal Science at the University of Manitoba.

His research at the Central Grasslands Research Extension Center will focus on exploring strategies for reducing winter feed costs in dry-lot and pasture-based beef herds in the northern Great Plains.

“Reducing winter feed costs by keeping livestock on pasture during the winter is emerging as an important area of research in North Dakota,” he says. “I intend to investigate innovative methods of reducing winter feed costs.”

This will include studies on the use of baled- and swath-grazed and stockpiled forage, and providing supplementation to cattle that graze on corn residues in the winter.

“We are very happy to have Michael joining us at Central Grasslands,” says Bryan Neville, center director. “His expertise and experience with winter grazing systems and forage utilization will add to our capabilities and help us support the needs of our area’s livestock producers.”

NDSU Agriculture Communication - Aug. 18, 2015